An indispensable guide to understanding—and living or working with—people whose behavior leaves you frustrated and confused

We all have people in our lives who frustrate, annoy, or hurt us: workplace bullies, those who always claim to be right, or those with anxious or obsessive personalities. And most of us hurt others occasionally, too. Now, authors Dr. Helen McGrath, a clinical psychologist and professor, and Hazel Edwards, a professional writer, offer this highly readable, extremely practical guide to dealing with the difficult personalities we encounter every day—in others, and in ourselves.

Taking the American Psychiatric Association’s widely used Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) as its starting point, Difficult Personalities helpfully outlines over a dozen different personality traits and types, detailing their common characteristics and underlying motivations. It also equips readers with numerous strategies for dealing with difficult behavior, including:

Readers will also benefit from sections on making difficult decisions and maintaining romantic relationships. Perfect for anyone who has ever wished that other people came with a handbook, Difficult Personalities illuminates the personality differences that so often serve as barriers to cooperation in the workplace and harmony at home.

“A no-frills resource that is both easy to understand and highly informative... Whether the problem person is a chronic complainer, a fount of insults, or a perpetual martyr, you are guaranteed to find in-depth analysis, including what they do, why they do it, and strategies to help cope with that person in a positive, healthy way. The authors also have advice for people who recognize bothersome traits in themselves. McGrath and Edwards have avoided scientific jargon and created a handbook people can put to use immediately. There's nothing difficult about this book, except for the subject it gracefully explicates.”—Publishers Weekly

“Gets to the heart of the matter and offers a real plan for change and coping.”—Library Journal

“Concise, well-organized advice that will help readers identify and deal more effectively with the troublesome people in their lives.”—Albert Bernstein, PhD, author of Emotional Vampires: Dealing with People Who Drain You Dry, Dinosaur Brains: Dealing with All Those Impossible People at Work, and Am I the Only Sane One Working Here?

“As a professional in the field of psychology, I’m impressed with Difficult Personalities’ content and useful information. It’s easy to read—both a good reference book and practical for anyone.”—Martha Manning, PhD, author of Undercurrents: A Life Beneath the Surface

"Comprehensive information delivered in a straightforward manner, this book is a must read for those who wish to better understand and deal with the difficult people in their lives."—George K. Simon, Jr., PhD, author of In Sheep's Clothing: Understanding and Dealing with Manipulative People

Hazel Edwards, OAM, is an acclaimed children’s author of over 200 titles, perhaps best known for her popular classic There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake. A director of the Australian Society of Authors and a National Reading Ambassador, Edwards was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for Literature in 2013.

Helen McGrath, PhD, completed her undergraduate degree and Diploma of Education at the University of Sydney and her Masters degree and PhD at Monash University. She is currently an Adjunct Professor in the School of Education at RMIT University as well as a part-time senior lecturer in the School of Education at Deakin University. She also has a small private psychology practice in Cheltenham, Melbourne. Helen is a leading psychologist and educator with a particular interest and expertise in mental health, social skills and relationships. She is the author or co-author of 22 books for educators, psychologists and the general community.